Why You Need to Relearn How to Learn.
I believe learning is the ultimate superpower for humans.
We can learn anything! We can learn to juggle 3 or 5 or 7 balls in the air (I’ve done this).
We can learn a new language, like basic Japanese, by practicing 15 minutes daily (I’ve done this).
We can even learn, late in our lives, a completely new set of skills and make a decent living from it (I’ve also done this).
When we learn, we transform ourselves into anything we desire to become: a doctor, a pilot, a teacher, an adventurer, a writer, a magician—anything.
We humans are born natural learners, and within a few days of being alive, we begin acquiring essential skills that will serve us for a lifetime. By the age of 5, we have developed the foundational abilities that will become the scaffolding of every social, professional, and personal achievement in our lives.
We continue this investment in learning as we grow—curious, eager, and determined. And then, at some point, when society grants us the title of “independent adults,” we stop.
The Comfort Trap
Our curiosity remains—it’s as essential as breathing—but our intention to learn fades. Why? Because comfort is enticing. Comfort whispers to us, “Stay where you are. You’ve learned enough. You’re fine here.”
But here’s the truth: learning requires effort, and effort is uncomfortable. As Carol Dweck, the renowned psychologist and author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, writes, “Becoming is better than being.” Learning keeps us in a constant state of becoming. It pushes us to challenge what we know and to embrace the unknown.
The Transformative Power of Learning
Albert Einstein once said, “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” Learning isn’t just about acquiring skills; it’s about transforming who we are.
Consider Benjamin Franklin, who taught himself to write by imitating the great prose he admired. Or Maya Angelou, who once said, “I am always learning. I am always teaching.” These great minds knew that learning wasn’t just a means to an end—it was the foundation of their greatness.
The beauty of learning is that it doesn’t require innate talent, wealth, or privilege. It requires curiosity, effort, and a willingness to make mistakes. Learning is, quite literally, the gateway to becoming whoever or whatever you aspire to be.
Why You Must Relearn How to Learn
Somewhere along the way, many of us forget how to learn. We conflate it with formal education, associate it with grades and tests, and begin to see it as a chore. But learning is far more than that—it’s a skill in itself.
To relearn how to learn, we need to:
Embrace Curiosity: Ask questions without shame.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Recognize that failure isn’t a stop sign; it’s a stepping stone.
Seek Discomfort: The best learning happens when we push ourselves beyond what we already know.
The Call to Adventure
Learning is a journey, and like all journeys, it begins with a single step. As the poet Rainer Maria Rilke advised, “Live the questions now.” Start where you are, with what you have, and dare to ask yourself: What do I want to become?
The path to transformation lies not in talent but in effort and curiosity. So pick up a book, sign up for that class, or practice something you’ve always wanted to master. The greatest investment you can make isn’t in your comfort but in your growth.
Learning is your ultimate superpower. Use it.